Spinning From-the-Fold for Luxury Fibres

In this video tutorial, Felicia spins a luxurious blend of 50% yak and 50% silk fibre from the SweetGeorgia 2016 Club, Invisible Fate. The challenge with this fibre is that the yak fibres are incredibly short, while the silk is long, compact, and sticky, making it hard to keep everything together. To tame this tricky combination, Felicia uses the from-the-fold fibre preparation method. One of the best parts of this technique is that it requires no tools at all, just your finger!

Learn about the benefits of spinning from the fold below the video, and also find written instructions with step-by-step pictures to guide you along the way!

Spinning From the Fold

Sampling is Important

Before diving into this method, it’s always a good idea to try a few different spinning techniques to see which one produces the yarn you want. Sampling just a few grams from a braid can give you valuable insights into how best to use it. If something feels difficult to spin, it might not be the right method for that fibre.

Felicia starts by trying a short forward draw, which creates a dense, smooth yarn. However, for her, it’s slow, and the finished yarn feels almost lifeless and brittle. Since this worsted style isn’t giving her the results she wants, she looks to the other side of the spectrum, something lighter and airier that comes from a woollen style of spinning. That’s where spinning from the fold shines. This technique will transform the fibre into a woollen, lofty yarn that’s perfect for short fibres like yak, cashmere, and other luxury blends.

Spinning yak/silk worsted- short forward
Felicia tries a short forward draw, creating a dense, smooth yarn, but it feels slow and lifeless.

Additional Benefits

One of the biggest challenges with this blend is that the yak and silk tend to separate during spinning. The silk, being longer, drafts out first, leaving the yak behind, which can be challenging to spin on its own. Spinning from the fold helps keep the fibres well-blended, resulting in a more cohesive yarn.

Another benefit of this technique is that it helps preserve the subtle colour shifts from the hand-dyed braid. To maintain the colours in the same order as they were dyed, consider chain-plying your finished singles. We have an excellent article by Diana Twiss, Chain Plying: On a Wheel or a Spindle, to help you with this technique!

More About Felicia Lo

Print

Spinning From the Fold

Equipment

  • 1 Spinning Wheel

Materials

  • 1 braid fibre

Instructions

  • To spin from the fold, first break the fibre into manageable chunks.
  • Next, fold the chunk of fibre over your finger.
  • Felicia then takes her finger out of the folded fibre; you can keep it in place if that feels more comfortable.
  • If you remove the fibre, then place it between your finger and thumb to hold while spinning.
  • When joining a new chunk of fibre, place it perpendicular to the spun yarn to keep the join smooth and even. 
  • And that's it. You can start spinning from the fold! Very simple!
  • TIP: To enhance the woollen quality even further, Felicia uses a long draw technique, adding extra air into the yarn for a soft, luxurious feel.
  • TIP 2: Felicia changes the flyer hook after finishing each chunk, which makes it easier to find the end of the fibre if it breaks. 

Notes

Watching Felicia spin, you can see how beautifully the over-the-fold method transforms a challenging blend into something truly special.

Do you have questions about spinning From the Fold?

Join Our Community!

  • At the School of SweetGeorgia, we’ve built a vibrant and welcoming community of fibre-loving makers, passionate instructors, and dedicated staff. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a new technique or just need a little creative encouragement, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
  • Not yet a member of the School? We invite you to come and see what it is all about! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
  • We welcome you to join us in our SweetGeorgia Community. This is where we share projects that inspire, have fibre-filled conversations, host make-alongs, and participate in a variety of virtual meetings! We discuss all things knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, machine knitting, and more! 
  • Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter! It’s a simple way to stay updated on what’s new at SweetGeorgia and the School of SweetGeorgia, catch up on the latest articles, watch new SweetGeorgia YouTube videos, and be a part of our community without any pressure to post. We value your presence, no matter how you choose to connect with us!

Original publication: August 5th, 2018; Refreshed: June 10th, 2025  

The post Spinning From-the-Fold for Luxury Fibres appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.



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